HR Specialist (Talent Acquisition)

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, a fair chance

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Strategic office context:

This post is housed in the Human Resources Centre (HRC) of UNICEF Supply Division (SD). The position supports the HR Manager/Unit Lead in the Recruitment Unit. This position contributes substantively to organization-wide HR strategies.

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision of the HR Manager/Unit lead, provides support and expertise in human resources recruitment matters and supports the acquisition of new skills and competencies of the supply and logistics function.

You will be accountable for:  

• Manages the recruitment of IP and GS vacant posts assigned ensuring an appropriate and timely action with focus on gender and geographic KPIs. Provides staff briefing and orientation.
• Initiates systematic approach to competencies analysis and evaluation of qualifications. Supports staff/managers to plan competencies and career development.
• Designs, conducts or facilitates in-house learning and development activities related to recruitment.
• Assists in development of initiatives and tools to support professionalization of the supply function.
• Assists in development and implementation of key communication efforts for recruitment.
• Networks and collaborates to establish internal and external support to HR initiatives, as well as ensure capitalizing on best practices in HR. 
• Assists on talent management initiatives including establishment of career paths and other initiatives to support development and retaining of staff.
• Provides emergency and surge response coordination and talent identification.
• Performs other duties as requested by the supervisor.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Education

• Advanced university degree in social sciences, MBA or MPA with specialization in Human Resources Management or related field.

Or;

A first University degree may be accepted in lieu of a master degree in conjunction with two additional years of relevant work experience.

Work Experience

• Five years of progressively responsible professional work experience in human resources management and development, preferably in an international or multi-cultural environment.
• Experience in the recruitment/ talent acquisition for at least two years is required.
• Familiarity with UN/UNICEF field activities sufficient to have acquired full understanding of field supply activities.

Languages

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

 The core competencies required for this post are:

• Builds and maintains partnerships
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
• Drive to achieve results for impact
• Innovates and embraces change
• Thinks and acts strategically
• Manages ambiguity and complexity
• Works collaboratively with others

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.  

Remarks:

UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at: http://www.whed.net/

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.